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July 1989 - San Francisco Police Officers Association

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<strong>July</strong>, <strong>1989</strong> Notebook Page 9<br />

The Twenty Worst Job<br />

Interviewing Mistakes<br />

by Robin Ririe, M.A.<br />

(Although this series of articles on how to<br />

do well on testing is written for both civilian<br />

and police tests, much of the info will be<br />

very helpful in the upcoming Q35150 test.)<br />

The interview process is such a thrilling<br />

adventure to be involved in. It's a lot like<br />

having a root-canal. You know it has to be<br />

done but you wish someone else was going<br />

through it, not you. There are many<br />

things to be done to prepare yourself. The<br />

interview procedure is a process of elimination<br />

more than one of selecting the first<br />

outstanding candidate. By being careful not<br />

to commit obvious wrongs you will find<br />

yourself doing more things right. Avoid<br />

these mistakes and you will be more likely<br />

to find yourself at the top.<br />

1. ARRIVING LATE:<br />

This creates a bad impression with .the<br />

interviewers. If you see that you're going<br />

to be late, call and change your appointment<br />

or ask to be rescheduled.<br />

2. ARRIVING EARLY:<br />

Too early is as bad as too late. Take a<br />

few minutes to freshen up and get your<br />

head on straight, review your introducing<br />

statement. It's best to arrive about 5<br />

minutes early; you don't want to be seen<br />

just sitting in the waiting room reading<br />

magazines.<br />

3. DRESSING WRONG:<br />

First Impressions Count! Dressing too<br />

casually or too flamboyantly can ruin your<br />

chances. The best choice is a business suit<br />

in conservative colors such as navy, black,<br />

gray or brown. -<br />

4. DRESSING IN A RUSH:<br />

Plan in advance what you will wear to<br />

your interview. Shine your shoes, get your<br />

hair cut/done, hands cared for (manicure,<br />

for women - no bright nail polish), suit<br />

pressed, or better yet get a new suit.<br />

5. SMOKING:<br />

If qualifications are equal, it has been<br />

found that a nonsmoker will be hired over<br />

a smoker. And besides, smoking makes<br />

you look nervous.<br />

6. DRINKING:<br />

NEVER before an interview. You need<br />

to be alert during an interview, not mellowed<br />

out. DRINK DOES NOT MAKE YOU<br />

MORE RELAXED OR YOUR THINKING<br />

CLEARER.<br />

7. CHEWING GUM:<br />

Gum is not a good substitute for cigarettes<br />

or confidence. It does not look good nor<br />

does it sound good.<br />

8. NOT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK:<br />

Know the job, the company or the<br />

department you're interviewing for. Go<br />

beyond reading the job announcement or<br />

advertisement. Call the department and<br />

ask for the particulars.<br />

9. SKIPPING A DRESS REHEARSAL:<br />

Practice! Practice! Practice! Make sure<br />

you can say what you want to say. Use a<br />

tape recorder and have a friend or loved<br />

one ask you questions and listen/watch for<br />

the distracting things you do. If it's available<br />

use a video camera and tape these practice<br />

interviews then review the tape, looking<br />

for distracting body language and<br />

giveaway facial, expressions.<br />

10. ADMITTING A FLAW:<br />

The interviewer is not looking for a long<br />

winded explanation of what you might<br />

think your weaknesses are. What they are<br />

looking for is "are you aware of a short<br />

coming and are you doing anything about."<br />

The rule for talking about a weakness is<br />

1 to 25. That means for every word you<br />

use to describe a weakness you need 25<br />

words to tell what you are doing to fix or<br />

correct it. So use one word weaknesses.<br />

11.NOT KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS:<br />

You have to look into yourself and your<br />

background so thoroughly that you are<br />

prepared to answer any question about it.<br />

Then without hesitation explain your<br />

strengths and skills • to the interviewers'<br />

satisfaction. Be prepared with at least 4<br />

strengths or skills that apply to the position<br />

you are applying for.<br />

12. ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS:<br />

The object is to find out your skills and<br />

abilities. If you refuse to take the ball and<br />

run with it, how will the interviewers find<br />

out about you. Most of the questions will<br />

be open ended; this will give you an oppor-<br />

tunity to talk about your skills and<br />

strengths. When you ask for clarification<br />

too often, you give up the opportunity to<br />

talk about yourself.<br />

13. NOT ASKING ANY QUESTIONS:<br />

Be prepared to ask pertinent questions<br />

about the department or current trends in<br />

the field that the company or department<br />

is involved in or on the brink of entering<br />

into. -<br />

14. INQUIRING ABOUT BENEFITS<br />

TOO SOON:<br />

The object of the interview is to find out<br />

what you will give to the company or<br />

department. It's not what the department<br />

or company will do for you. Once the job<br />

offer is made - then is the time to discuss<br />

and/or negotiate benefits.<br />

15. CRYING DISCRIMINATION:<br />

Not everyone involved in the interviewing<br />

process is up on all of the laws and<br />

rules that apply to the hiring process.<br />

Because of this, it is possible that you will<br />

be asked a question that is unfair or illegal.<br />

The interview room is not the place to cry<br />

discrimination. Do your best to answer the<br />

question. Your calm and businesslike manner<br />

just might get you the job; and if it<br />

doesn't, you can file a complaint or<br />

grievance later.<br />

16. BAD-MOUTHING YOUR BOSS.<br />

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER say anything<br />

against any person or anything negative<br />

about other departments you've worked in.<br />

This gives the interviewers a negative impression<br />

of you that's hard to overcome.<br />

No matter what has happened in the past,<br />

only talk about how you grew from the<br />

experience.<br />

17. NAME DROPPING:<br />

Playing "who do you know" with interviewers<br />

has a tendency to backfire. You<br />

don't know the relationship between the interviewer<br />

and the name you drop. If'you<br />

have a friend in the organization, have<br />

them put in a good word for you or place<br />

a letter of recommendation in your personnel<br />

package.<br />

18. ENERGY FAILURE:<br />

Its been said that 80% of an interview<br />

score is enthusiasm and 20% is<br />

knowledge. Don't let outside activities interfere<br />

with your energy level on the day<br />

of your interview. The interview is the most<br />

important thing. ALL else is secondary.<br />

There are exercises to raise and keep your<br />

energy level high.<br />

19. HANDSHAKE FAILURE:<br />

A limp or bone crushing handshake is<br />

like bad breath; even your best friend won't<br />

tell you about it. However, the interviewer<br />

will mark you down for it. Ask a trusted<br />

friend "If I were going to develop a perfect<br />

L andshake, would I make mine firmer,<br />

more gentle, grasp more hand or less, or<br />

what?" and then practice until you get it<br />

right.<br />

20. PLAYING THE HERO/HEROINE:<br />

In most of the jobs you'll be called upon<br />

to work on you'll be part of a team. Stress<br />

how your talents, abilities and experiences<br />

will mesh with those of others in the<br />

department or division.<br />

Robin Ririe retired from the Los Angeles<br />

<strong>Police</strong> Department in 1986 after 26 years<br />

to pursue a career in teaching and lecturing,<br />

forming his own seminar company.<br />

Since 1979, Robin has been coordinating<br />

and conducting seminars and<br />

workshops throughout California and<br />

Arizona. His classes are lively - his infor -mation is current and comprehensive - his<br />

advice is incisive. He is a people mover!<br />

As a speaker, Robin is actively sought<br />

by professional and community organizations.<br />

His topics include various careerrelated<br />

subjects., For information on upcoming<br />

seminars or individual help with interviews.<br />

Contact Robin Ririe at 29 South<br />

Curtis Ave., Alhambra, Ca. 91801, or you<br />

can call him at (818) 284-1724.<br />

113<br />

REALTOR €<br />

JAMES W. DOHERTY<br />

Realtor<br />

3253 - 16th Street<br />

<strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong>, CA 94103<br />

(415) 861-0934<br />

FBI Report: Assaults and Deaths of<br />

Peace <strong>Officers</strong> in 1987<br />

Uniform Crime Reports by U.S. Dept. of Justice<br />

73 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Killed<br />

73 were males, 66 were white, 7 black,<br />

Firearms were used in 66 of the 73 slayings,<br />

13 were killed with their own<br />

weapon(19%), 93% of the deaths between<br />

1977-1987 were caused by firearms;<br />

Weapons used (firearms) primarily .38 cal<br />

and .357 cal weapons - accounting for 2/3<br />

of handgun deaths;<br />

Prior to their murders 19 of the victim<br />

officers were acquainted with their killers;<br />

more than ½ of slain officers were slain<br />

within 5 FEET of their assailants; only 4<br />

suspects were killed by victim officers; 48<br />

killed by handguns; 9 killed by 'rifles; 9 killed<br />

by shotguns.<br />

48 of the 73 <strong>Officers</strong> Killed Were on<br />

Patrol -<br />

37 were assigned to one man cars<br />

(This is considered the most dangerous<br />

of all assignments; 53% of the patrol<br />

officers were alone and unassisted at<br />

the time of their killings; 10 were assigned<br />

to two man cars; 1 was assigned to foot<br />

patrol; 17 were assigned to detective work;<br />

8 were off duty, but acting in a official<br />

capacity; 29% of officers on other types<br />

of assignments were alone when killed.<br />

27 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed in Arrest<br />

Situations (82% were alone when<br />

killed); 9 while attending robbery of<br />

burglary calls; 6 were drug related; 12 other<br />

types of crimes.<br />

11 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed Investigating<br />

Suspicious Persons or<br />

Circumstances<br />

8 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Enforcing Traffic<br />

Laws<br />

22 After Responding to Disturbance<br />

Calls<br />

6 Were Killed While Transporting of<br />

Handling Prisoners<br />

4 Were Ambushed<br />

1 Was Dealing With A Mentally<br />

Disturbed Person<br />

7 <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed With/Other<br />

Than Firearms -3 were stabbed; 2 were<br />

struck with motor vehicles; 2 assaulted<br />

with firearms and then burned.<br />

46 of the assailants had prior arrests;<br />

45% of wounds - upper torso; 41% of<br />

wounds - head shots<br />

75 officers were killed accidentally -<br />

vehicular accidents, accidently shot,<br />

drownings, etc.<br />

ASSAULTS<br />

84% of total assaults committed by:<br />

hands, fist, or feet<br />

4% by firearms<br />

2% by knives, cutting instruments<br />

9% by autmobils, cl4ibs, etc.<br />

68% of assaults occurred between 6 PM<br />

to 4 AM<br />

53% of assaulted were assigned to one<br />

man cars<br />

28% of officers assaulted were assigned to<br />

two man cars<br />

6% of officers assaulted were detectives<br />

13% were handling other duties<br />

17 out of every 100 officers were assault<br />

victims in 1987 (no change from 1986)<br />

IN SERVICE CLASSROOPM TRAINING<br />

1987-88<br />

FBI, REPORT, ASSAULTS AND<br />

DEATHS OF PEACE OFFICERS<br />

SUMMAR 1986<br />

Ross Upholstery<br />

FIRST CLASS WORK AND<br />

REASONABLE PRICES<br />

TRY US FOR THE BEST WORK<br />

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE<br />

228 FILLMORE ST.<br />

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117<br />

PHONE 552-1291<br />

66 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Killed<br />

65 were male, 1 female<br />

59 were white, 7 black<br />

Firearms were used in 62 of the 66<br />

slayings -<br />

16 were killed with their own weapon* *<br />

(24%)* *<br />

92% of the deaths were caused by<br />

firearms (1977 1986)<br />

Weapons used (firearms) primarily .38<br />

cal and .357 cal weapons)<br />

Prior to their murders, 16 of the victim<br />

officers were acquainted with their killers<br />

(24%)<br />

41 of the 66 <strong>Officers</strong> Killed Were On<br />

Patrol<br />

31 were assigned to one man cars (This<br />

is considered the most dangerous of all<br />

assignments) 68% of the patrol officers<br />

were alone and unassisted at the time of<br />

their killings<br />

9 were assigned to two man cars<br />

1 was assigned to foot patrol<br />

26 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> were Killed in Arrest<br />

Situations<br />

10 while attending robbery or burglary<br />

calls<br />

7 were drug related<br />

9 other types of crime<br />

11 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Killed Investigating<br />

Suspicious Persons or<br />

Circumstances<br />

10 Peace <strong>Officers</strong> Were Enforcing<br />

Traffic Laws<br />

6 After Responding To Disturbance<br />

Calls (This figure represents a 54%<br />

decrease over 1985. <strong>Officers</strong> who were killed<br />

as a result of bar fights or man with a<br />

gun calls remain constant. <strong>Officers</strong> killed<br />

responding to domestic disputes dropped)<br />

5 Were Killed While Transporting or<br />

Handling Prisoners<br />

5 Were Ambushed<br />

3 Were Dealing With Mentally Disturbed<br />

Persons<br />

Assaults<br />

Account for total %<br />

84% of Total Assaults Committed By:<br />

Of Injuries -<br />

Hands, Fist, or Feet<br />

34%<br />

(Unchanged from 1985)<br />

4% By Firearms<br />

22%<br />

(1985 =21%) down 1%<br />

3% By Knives, Cutting Instruments 30%<br />

- (1985 = 27%) up 3%<br />

9% By Automobiles, Clubs, Etc. 14%<br />

73% of assaults occurred between 6 PM to 6 AM<br />

55% of officers assaulted were assigned to one man<br />

cars<br />

27% of officers assaulted were assigned to two man<br />

cars<br />

6% of officers assaulted were detectives<br />

3% were handling other duties<br />

17 out of every 100 officers were assault victims in<br />

1986<br />

THE<br />

0$I) American General<br />

GROUP<br />

American General<br />

Life and Accident<br />

insurance<br />

0<br />

Company<br />

Parkside Grooming<br />

& Supplies<br />

-' Zc<br />

William H. Clark<br />

District Manager<br />

5319 MissiOn Si.<br />

<strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong>. Ca. 94112<br />

587-4425<br />

APPTS. 665-2924<br />

8:30 TO 5:00<br />

TUE. . SAT.<br />

ALL BREED GROOMING<br />

OWNER<br />

MALINDA 2239 TAISAVAL STREET<br />

SAN FRANCISCO, CA<br />

between 32ND & 33RD AyES.

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